The Portland daily press., 1887-08-17
IN BEHALF OF RIppLEsERcER.
An Explanation of the Trouble With
Judge Newman.

WOODSTOCK, Va, Aug. 16-The follow
ing is statement for Senator Riddleber-
ger by friend; much has been said, writ
ten and telegraphed to various papers
throughout the United States concerning
Senator Riddleberger's confinement in jail
for contempt of court, much of which is un-
true and has emanated from the minds Of
personal enemies to the Senator and bitter
partisans. The affair has created intense
excitement, much bitter feeling, and no lit
tie alarm throughout this section, and it
would have taken little more to fan the en-
bers into fierce flame. Riddleberger is
personally popular even with the bulk of his
political enemies, while Judge Newman is
just the reverse. In order to give true ac-
count of this unhappy affair, will sum up
briefly from the commencement. Last Fri
day evening Senator Riddleberger was sent
to Jail for contempt of the County Court
over which Judge Newman, presided, and
who is bitter personal and political enemy
of the Senator. The term was fixed at five
days, with an additional term of five days
added because the Judge claimed that the
Senator resisted the Sheriff when he attempt
ed to execute the order. of the court, which
is not correct, as the Sheriff and his depu-
ties Will testify to at any time, and have so
stated repeatedly since the arrest. Riddle
berger went quietly with the Sheriff to Jail,
accompanied by large crowd of friends,
who were greatly excited and indignant at
the action OF Judge Newman and insisted
that be should not go into the jail; but the
Senator, in order to have no disturbance of
the peace and no rioting, insisted and plead
ed with his friends, saying it was his duty
as law abiding citizen to conform to the de-
cision of the court, and he quietly and smil-
ingly entered the jail from which, by his ell
oquence and skill as lawyer, he has saved
SO many
friends were not satisfied at about u o'clock
that night the Jail was entered and he was
rescued therefrom. The Senator refused to
go, but his friends were positive and deter
mined and took him out against his wishes
and his earnest protests. The officers of the
law made no attempt to rearrest him, and he
remained at home until yesterday morning.
After spending Saturday with his family the
Senator voluntarily came from his home and
appeared at the door of the Jail and surren-
dered himself to the jailer. He remained in
jail awaiting the return of the Judge, who in
very short time after sending him to Jail,
adjourned the Court until Monday morning
and left for Seven Fountains, summer re-
sort in the mountains about eight miles from
Woodstock, before the Senator, his attorney
or friends could take any action in the mat
ter. For this he has been severely censured,
even by his friends, as 1t was an unheard of
pIoceouns ny lrginla Judge, no lawyer
having remained in prison before for con-
tempt of court more than few hours, as it
was never understood to be a punishment
but was done simply to uphold the dignity of
the court and the law. Great excitement
has prevailed.
Senator Riddleberger will to-day at all
hazards leave the Jail at II o'clock noon as
he will then have served his term of five
days for contempt of court. The additional
hve days for resisting an officer he does not
recognize and justly claims that the law
gives him right of a trial by jury"